On the Crossing Spider. 243 



selves from one side of a garden to the other, or to cross 

 lanes, rivers, &cc. But it may be asked. How the spider, wlio 

 has an incHnatinn to cross a garden, knows when the Hne 

 or thread is long enough to answer his purpose ? — A second 

 experiment with another of these curious creatures most 

 fully satisfied mc. Repeating what I have already stated, 

 I so managed the floating web that it should not presently 

 fix on the tree: but as the air vvafled it to a distance, I was 

 much gratified by observing the line to lengthen, not from 

 any more folds, but from the spider's body, the wind draw- 

 ing it out, and no doubt aided by some interjial force which 

 he bad the power to exert, thereby lengthening it at least ten 

 yards : — it was then suffered to light on a wall, when the 

 spider in a moment ran along the thread with the greatest 

 ease. Now, sir, these experiments I have' many times made, 

 and advise others who are fond of exploring Nature in all her 

 wonderful works to do the same ; but it is best to have a 

 str6ng light, in order to observe the curious foldings of the 

 web, which appears (when viewed with a glass of one inch 

 focus) to be fastened with something like a slip knot*. 



The observations which I shall make are as follows : — ■ 

 First, it appears to me that Nature has furnished these little 

 creatures (which we from habits of education too much 

 despise) with a mcjst curious method of ejecting at plea- 

 sure a glutinous thread many times double ; and although 

 moist, the spider can contrive to separate or spin singly, bv 

 which means they not only weave their beautiful nets, but 

 make a thread which has excited the wonder of thousands, 

 to know by what means they have crossed roads, &.c. And 

 secondly, that by the power they have of lengthenmg those 

 threads they can cross to any distance. It is indeed pro- 

 bable that instinct informs them when the wind is fair for 

 their purpose ; and it is remarkable that these powers are 

 cuiifi'H'd to the crossing spider, as no other which I have 

 ever met wit!i possesses them. The largest spiders have the 

 •trongest webs, and are best for the experiment ; but the 



• You wilt remark that M. C. G. Lehmann lias not noticed this : and I 

 am persuaded that tacli t'olding is fastened by a knot leaving one end loose. 



Q 2 sujaJlest 



